I am training for a full iron distance next October. I just started thinking about triathlon in June and training in mid July (when I bought a bike). I signed up for 5 sprints this season and have completed 2 of them (and had a great time). I am planning on using the "iron fit" 30 week program. I signed up for a marathon in march which leaves me only about 3 weeks between the race and the start for my 30 week program. Does this sound too ambitious? I am completely new to tri and distance running for that matter. I think I can do it, but have no frame of reference as I don't know anyone that runs tris or anyone close to my size that runs more than 6 miles at a time. Any advise would be welcome. thx

I ran my first marathon 9 months after I started running. My first half ironman was 4 months after that. Sounds like you are on the same track as I was. Only going a little farther. All I could say is keep the goals realistic and don't increase the millage to much at a time.

good to know someone else has dove in head first. My run plan slowly increases over 20 weeks, and there is about 3 weeks between then marathon and the start of my im training. My goal is just to finish in the 17 hours.

I'm doing the same thing... signing up for IMWI 2014. I have done two (soon to be three) marathons, have ridden 1,000's of miles, many centuries, yada yada yada, I'm diving in head first too!!! I'm excited most about becoming proficient at the swim. I can certainly swim, but it will be fun to become faster and better at it as I train for this race. Good luck to you!!

Ironman is a mental race as much if not more than a physical race. For those of us that are "just finishers" it is about putting the negative thoughts out of your head all day and just chugging along. If you can keep your feet moving you can do it.

Reading how much time you've given yourselves to prepare you'll be just fine physically, it will come down to how much you want it.

I think I can do it, but have no frame of reference as I don't know anyone that runs tris or anyone close to my size that runs more than 6 miles at a time. Any advise would be welcome. thx

If it is not impertinent to ask, what is your size?

I am 6'3" and down from 296lb to about 245lbs. And have my first half marathon in 9 weeks. I am up to about 11 miles for my long run and it is going well. Even while I am mixing in cycling and swimming for my first bash at Triathlon.

Putting in and increasing distance sessions has been hard but I am lucky that my joints have not complained about the weight I am carrying (shedding!!).

Biggest tips I have for increasing endurance:

1) Stick rigidly to the 10% rule. Not adding more than 10% either to your longest run or your total weekly mileage.
2) Make one run session a week a carefully planned speed or hills session. I try and do a fast 5k every week and it has really improved my comfort level on longer runs.
3) Make your long weekly run a slooooow run. Really slow. That session is purely to build endurance and to help with the mental side. Mentally working on evaluating body feedback, controlling your breathing, watching form to keep it healthy and practicing your fuelling/hydration strategy. Also the mental effort of not getting too bored or letting the chimp out of the box, getting high on adrenalin and then feeling like crap.

Being 5'9" and starting training at a weight of 282 lbs, (now at 220 lbs.) the only thing I would repeat is adding too much to quickly and not being discipline on recovery.

You can do it, I am working towards a Marathon in March (LA marathon, and a Olympic in April/May. I have had set back last year and really it came down to, too much in one week, and not listening to my body. Then pulling a hamstring in the shower, or wrenching my back out putting on socks. Obviously, it was not the actual effort that was the injury it was the stretching I did not do, or letting my body recover from the previous night's workout.

Again, You can do it. Just listen to your body.

This year completed my first century and ran a 1/2 marathon on the same weekend.

I'm 6'5" 230. In pretty good shape, not great but not bad. I have run 2 sprints and running 3 more this season. the plan I am following is 30 week competitive from "iron fit". I also got my marathon plan here http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_4/130.shtml